Polypeptides having DNA polymerase activity

Abstract

A polypeptide having a high fidelity DNA polymerase activity and thus being useful as a genetic engineering reagent; a gene encoding this polypeptide; a method of producing the polypeptide; and a method of amplifying a nucleic acid by using the polypeptide.

1. An isolated polypeptide having a DNA polymerase activity, which comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24; and 
 (b) an amino acid sequence which differs from SEQ ID NO:24 by deletion, insertion or substitution of a total of 1 to 10 amino acids. 
 
     
     
       2. The polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid sequence of (b) differs from SEQ ID NO:24 solely by substitution of 1-10 amino acid residues. 
     
     
       3. The polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid sequence of (b) differs from SEQ ID NO:24 by a single amino acid deletion, insertion or substitution. 
     
     
       4. The polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid sequence of (b) differs from SEQ ID NO:24 by a single amino acid substitution. 
     
     
       5. The polypeptide of  claim 1  that comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24. 
     
     
       6. The polypeptide to  claim 1  that consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24. 
     
     
       7. A composition for amplifying a nucleic acid, which comprises the polypeptide defined by  claim 1 . 
     
     
       8. A kit which comprises the polypeptide defined by  claim 1 . 
     
     
       9. A method for producing a polypeptide, the method comprising:
 culturing a cell capable of producing a polypeptide, and 
 collecting said polypeptide from the culture, 
 wherein said polypeptide has a DNA polymerase activity, and comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24; and 
 (b) an amino acid sequence which differs from SEQ ID NO:24 by deletion, insertion or substitution of a total of 1 to 10 amino acids. 
 
     
     
       10. A method for amplifying a nucleic acid, the method comprising:
 amplifying a nucleic acid using a polypeptide, 
 wherein said polypeptide has a DNA polymerase activity, and comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24; and 
 (b) an amino acid sequence which differs from SEQ ID NO:24 by deletion, insertion or substitution of a total of 1 to 10 amino acids are deleted, inserted, added or substituted in said amino acid sequence.